Day Inn Sydney Nova Scotia

SydneyIs the main port and largest community on Cape Breton Island, in Nova Scotia. It also serves as the hub of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (population approx. 100, 000), which includes nearby communities such as North Sydney and Glace Bay. Although not a major tourist destination in itself, Sydney makes for a convenient base to explore south-eastern Cape Breton and has a full range of shops and services not found elsewhere on Cape Breton Island. The Sydney area has a rich coal mining and industrial history, the remnants of which can be found throughout the region.

By plane[edit]

Sydney is served by the nearby Sydney Airport (IATA: YQY), which has year round flights by Air Canada with prop service several times per day from Halifax and daily jet service from Toronto. Westjet also provides non-stop jet service from Toronto from May to October.

During the summer the airport is served by Air Saint-Pierre (with flights from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon).

By car[edit]

Driving to Sydney can be done by crossing the Canso Causeway which links Cape Breton Island to the Nova Scotia mainland near Port Hawkesbury. From there you have two options: the slightly longer but straighter Highways 105 and 125 (via Baddeck and North Sydney) or the shorter but twistier Route 4 (via St. Peter's).

Get around[edit]

Most sights within the downtown are within walking distance, however most major tourist sights are well outside of the city and require a car or pre-arranged tour bus.

A basic local bus service is operated by Transit Cape Breton, providing local service within Sydney, hourly service to Dominion and Glace Bay, and limited service to North Sydney, Sydney Mines and New Waterford. Service is minimal during evening hours, and no service is provided on Sundays or public holidays. Fares range from $1.25 to $5.00, depending on distance.

Although Sydney is the center of Cape Breton, it lacks major tourist sites itself. A few things to see are:

• The world's largest fiddle is located on the waterfront by the Joan Harriss Cruise Ship Pavilion.
• Two private homes dating to the earliest settlement of the city, Jost House and Cossitt House, remain in the downtown area of Sydney.
• The recently revived Wentworth Park, a 5 minute walk south from the downtown core, is worth a visit.

The Sydney marine terminal as well as Charlotte Street have an abundance of arts and crafts stores selling traditional Cape Breton souvenirs.